Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 3261: Criminal offenses committed by certain members of the Armed Forces and by persons employed by or accompanying the Armed Forces outside the United States

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines jurisdiction and prosecution procedures for criminal offenses by Armed Forces members outside the U.S., including rules for foreign prosecution, Attorney General approval requirements, and military tribunal concurrent jurisdiction.

Read the full statutory text
while employed by or accompanying the Armed Forces outside the United States; or while a member of the Armed Forces subject to chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), No prosecution may be commenced against a person under this section if a foreign government, in accordance with jurisdiction recognized by the United States, has prosecuted or is prosecuting such person for the conduct constituting such offense, except upon the approval of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General (or a person acting in either such capacity), which function of approval may not be delegated. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to deprive a court-martial, military commission, provost court, or other military tribunal of concurrent jurisdiction with respect to offenders or offenses that by statute or by the law of war may be tried by a court-martial, military commission, provost court, or other military tribunal. such member ceases to be subject to such chapter; or an indictment or information charges that the member committed the offense with one or more other defendants, at least one of whom is not subject to such chapter.

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